Nearly 1.2 million North Carolinians will be on the road traveling on Thanksgiving weekend, which lasts from Wednesday to Sunday.

Angela Daley, Carolina AAA director of communications, said the total of travelers is an increase of 36,000 and the number of travelers has risen each year since 2008.

“We’ve seen travel come up steadily since the recession,” Daley said. “The economy is better, unemployment is lower and people aren’t as concerned saving money as in recent years, which attributes to the slight increase in travelers.”

There has also been a sharp decrease in gas prices. Since Labor Day, the average price for a gallon of gas has dropped to $3.23, a 28 cent drop.

“With gas lower, people don’t see driving as huge expense,” Daley said. “About 90 percent of all travelers drive, which plays a big role as far as what people expect to pay.”

Daley also noted the increase of traffic on the road.

“This is the biggest traveling holiday of year, with the focus concentrated on Wednesday and Sunday,” Daley said. “On Wednesday, travelers are on the road to their destinations and coming back on Friday. Expect heavy traffic, not just in the evening but throughout the day.

“It’s going to take longer to reach your destination. For every hour, you’re on the road, add another 15 minutes. For example, if a trip takes 4 hours, it will take 5 on Thanksgiving weekend.”

Safety will also be an important issue over the weekend. According to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, 391 people were injured and 15 were killed on the highways.

Robert Bowen, 1st Sgt. of the N.C. Highway Patrol, said troopers will be out to protect citizens in Lenoir County.

We’ll have as many available personnel as possible through the holidays,” Bowen said. “We’ll concentrate our enforcement efforts on speeding, DWIs and occupant restraint violations like seat belt and child restraints.”

Kinston Department of Public Safety Director Bill Johnson said there will be additional attention focused toward the outside of the city.

“We always have traffic officers out, and we’ll have more toward the outer perimeter,” Johnson said. “The inside is usually good and there aren’t many accidents traditionally during holidays, with more of them happen around the Highway 70 corridor. We’ll also be setting up checkpoints for the holiday season.”

Kinston City Manager Tony Sears plans on traveling during the holidays, saying he takes safety precautions.

“I always travel the back roads, because they’re a little safer and I can enjoy the scenery of North Carolina,” Sears said. “Any time I can see more of this beautiful state, I’ll take the opportunity.

“Also, I try not to travel at peak traveling times, like around noon. I also let my food digest and take a nap before I hop on the road. You have to take it easy.”

Page 2 of 2 - Wilmington resident Elizabeth Monroe said she has a checklist before traveling.

“I make sure my tires have air, there’s gas in the car and make sure my engine light isn’t on,” Monroe said. “I also make sure my flashlight has fresh batteries just in case.”

Kinston resident Regina Powell said she will stay within the speed limit during her Thanksgiving travels.

“I make sure I’m watching my speed, because the police are out here more during the holiday,” she said.

Although many North Carolinians will travel during the weekend, some people, like Kinston resident Tony Witherspoon, plan on staying home with alternatives.

“I don’t need to do any road traveling this year,” Witherspoon said. “I’m going to be right here cooking.”

Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.

Breakout box: Here are some driving considerations for the Thanksgiving holiday

n Leave early — allow more travel time; expect delays

n Increase distance between vehicles

n Clear all windows on your vehicle prior to travel — having unobstructed vision is vital to avoid running off of the road or having a collision

n Illuminate your vehicle’s headlamps

n Use caution on bridges and overpasses, as they are susceptible to freezing before roadways

n Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas in the event you’re are stranded for an extended period of time